{"id":1701085,"date":"2026-10-30T11:13:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T22:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quirkycampers.com\/nz\/?page_id=1701085"},"modified":"2026-10-30T13:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T00:21:44","slug":"campervans-for-hire-on-the-west-coast","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.quirkycampers.com\/nz\/campervan-hire\/campervans-for-hire-on-the-west-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Campervans for hire on the West Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Turquoise<\/picture>
The turquoise water of the Hokitika Gorge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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WHY START ON THE WEST COAST<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glaciers, rainforest and six hundred kilometres of wild coastline.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The West Coast is the emptiest, wettest and (arguably) the most dramatic part of New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Highway 6 runs almost the full length of the 600km West Coast, hemmed in by the Southern Alps on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other. There is no quick way through, only the meandering road which takes in the sights along the way. Rainforest comes down to the road, the rivers run milky blue, and the mountains rise and fall beside you the whole way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With only 35,000 inhabitants in the whole West Coast region, Hokitika is one of the larger towns. It’s famous for its sunsets, its driftwood beach and sign, and the pounamu (greenstone) carvers who work with stone pulled from the Arahura River. Head north for Greymouth, Punakaiki and Westport. Head south for \u014ck\u0101rito, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and eventually Haast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 139km West Coast Wilderness Trail runs from Greymouth to Ross straight through Hokitika, following old gold-rush tramlines, so a bike is well worth hiring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The reflection of the mountains on Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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DISTINCTIVE WEST COAST DAYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

48 hours on the West Coast: A simple plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After your personal handover, stock up in Hokitika, then pick the West Coast experience that suits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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01<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The famous driftwood Hokitika sign<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The gorge and the lake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Half an hour inland, the Hokitika Gorge runs a turquoise that photographs look faked. It is glacial rock flour suspended in the water, and it is at its most absurd on a bright day after rain. The loop walk is 2km and takes about ninety minutes, crossing a 90m suspension bridge and a swing bridge replaced in 2025 after the ninety-year-old original was closed for repairs. Loop back past Lake Kaniere and Dorothy Falls, then finish on Hokitika beach for sunset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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02<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Franz<\/picture>
Franz Josef Glacier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Drive south to the ice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Franz Josef and Fox are twin rivers of ice that end just above sea level, a few hundred metres from temperate rainforest. There is nowhere else quite like it. The Franz Josef valley walk is a thirty minute return stroll to a viewpoint; the Fox South Side Walk takes about two hours return. Both glaciers have retreated a long way, so the ice looks smaller than the postcards, and a heli-hike is the only way to stand on it. Call in at Lake Matheson near Fox for the mirror reflections of Aoraki and Mt Tasman.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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03<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Layered
Pancake Rocks: layered limestone at Punakaiki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Head north up the Great Coast Road<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The stretch from Greymouth to Westport has been called one of the world’s great drives, and it earns it. At Punakaiki the Pancake Rocks sit in stacked limestone layers laid down 22 to 30 million years ago, then weathered into something that genuinely resembles a pile of pancakes. Time your visit for high tide with a big swell and the blowholes put on a show. N\u012bkau palms crowd the roadside, which is a strange thing to see at this latitude.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Sunset<\/picture><\/span>
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Start your trip on the West Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Quirky Campers connects you with privately owned, handcrafted campervans based near Hokitika. Every hire includes comprehensive insurance, 24\/7 AA roadside assistance, unlimited kilometres and a personal handover from the van owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2713 Real vans, real character<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No depot and no anonymous fleet vehicle. Choose a one-of-a-kind campervan designed and cared for by its owner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2713 Arrive without a car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fly into Hokitika from Christchurch in 45 minutes, ride the TranzAlpine train over Arthur’s Pass, or come up the coast by bus. Pick up your camper directly from the owner with all the handover details confirmed before travel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2713 A quarter of the conservation estate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The West Coast holds parts of five national parks and about a quarter of New Zealand’s conservation land. It is the gateway to the Te W\u0101hipounamu World Heritage Area. Roam it all without kilometre limits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Happy campers hiring on the West Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Independent Google reviews from people who have travelled with Quirky Campers NZ.<\/p>\n\n\n